Redwood City, California Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated September 03, 2023
Redwood City Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating5.5
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Competition
6.0 -
Real Estate Cost
2.2 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
5.7 -
Rental Rates
8.1
Redwood City, California Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 84,292
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- May to October
- County
- San Mateo
- Airports
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
Want to learn more about Redwood City?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Redwood City rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Redwood City rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Redwood City.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Redwood City guests.
Interested in other California cities?
Check out the California Airbnb rules directory
What makes Redwood City a great place to invest?
- Proximity to Tech Hubs: Redwood City is home to several tech companies and is in close proximity to major tech hubs like San Francisco and San Jose. This attracts business travelers and tech professionals who often prefer the comfort and convenience of short-term rentals over hotels.
- Diverse Recreational Activities: From kayaking in the San Francisco Bay to hiking in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains, Redwood City offers a wide range of outdoor activities that attract nature enthusiasts and active travelers, increasing the demand for short-term rentals.
- Educational Institutions: With Stanford University just a short drive away, Redwood City attracts students, visiting faculty, and parents, creating a steady demand for short-term accommodations throughout the year.
- Convenient Transportation: Redwood City is well-connected by public transportation, including Caltrain, which provides easy access to San Francisco and San Jose. This convenience makes it a popular choice for both tourists and business travelers.
- Mild Climate: The Mediterranean climate of Redwood City, with mild, wet winters and dry, warm summers, makes it a year-round destination for travelers, ensuring a consistent demand for short-term rentals.
Redwood City Nearby Cities
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4 miles away
- Rating: 5.3
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5 miles away
- Rating: 5.0
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Redwood City?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Redwood City has decreased -11% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $986, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$1,803,763
-11% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$986
-14% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$3,579
1% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Redwood City, California
Common terms for Redwood City short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Redwood City has a description approximately 1,750 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 1,158 listings in Redwood City, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are San Francisco, San Mateo, Moon Bay, Half Moon, Beach, Easy, SFO, Place, Quiet, and Backyard.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Redwood City?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Redwood City involve Hiking, Horseback Riding, Boating, the Beach, and Adventure Activities. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Hiking
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Horseback Riding
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Boating
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Beach
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Adventure Activities
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Surfing
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Mountain Biking
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Kayaking
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Whale Watching
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Wildlife Viewing
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Marina
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Cycling
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Redwood City, including San Francisco Bay, Miramar Beach, San Mateo County Event Center, Half Moon Bay State Beach, and Rockaway Beach. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Regional Landmark
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Half Moon Bay State Beach
Included on 70% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Miramar Beach
Included on 68% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Venice Beach in Half Moon Bay
Included on 65% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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San Francisco Bay
Included on 60% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Pacifica State Beach
Included on 60% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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San Mateo County Event Center
Included on 58% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Pillar Point Harbor
Included on 58% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Dunes Beach
Included on 58% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Rockaway Beach
Included on 57% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Filoli
Included on 57% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Montara State Beach
Included on 55% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Hillsdale Shopping Center
Included on 54% of listings
What’s the weather like in Redwood City, California?
The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 69°, while the average low is about 51°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 18 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Redwood City are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
45° Low 60° High
Spring
March through May
50° Low 68° High
Summer
June through August
57° Low 76° High
Fall
September through November
53° Low 71° High
Cities Near Redwood City
Redwood City, California, is located in San Mateo County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
